Murray State – Scrappy Survivors

Injured & Foul Ridden, but Survive to Play on Saturday

(Indianapolis, IN) – You have to be scrappy survivors to win games in the NCAA Tournament and Murray State checked that box Thursday in Indianapolis. It took overtime, but they defeated San Francisco 92-87.

Just two minutes into their first-round game with the Dons, starting guard Carter Collins twisted his left ankle and was lost for the game.

That meant more playing time for Trae Hannibal. Tevin Brown picked up two early fouls and that meant more playing time for DaQuan Smith who also got into foul trouble. Enter Dionte Bostick. Early in the second half K.J. Williams fell and injured is lower back but stayed in the game.

Justice Hill played all but 18 seconds of the 45-minute game and could barely walk due to cramping during the game’s final moments.

This game was a gut check from the very beginning but the Racers proved to be scrappy survivors.

Trae Hannibal Carries The Load

With Brown on the bench with first half foul trouble, Justice Hill and Hannibal carried the offense by slashing to the basket and drawing fouls. The 6’2 Hannibal routinely drove to the basket, drawing fouls, scoring in traffic and making six of seven free-throw attempts.

He tied K.J. Williams for team scoring honors with 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. Hill scored ten first-half points on his way to a 15-point, nine assist game.

Coach Matt McMahon says he wasn’t surprised by Hannibal’s stout performance.

“He’s done that for us a lot this year and we talk about him all the time,” said McMahon. “Trae’s a middle linebacker out there playing guard for us. He’s really been a Swiss Army knife-type player. I thought his ability to get to the basket and finish plays was just huge for us tonight. He was really good on the glass, He’s a warrior and really stepped forward when we needed him most tonight.”

Brown & Williams Second Half Rebound

Murray State’s stars, Tevin Brown and K.J. Williams were not their normally effective selves during the first half. Brown’s foul-induced absence left him with two, first-half points. Williams, who averages almost 20 points and eight rebounds per game, scored just seven points and grabbed ONE rebound during the first half.

Brown scored 15, second-half points including three, critical triples and Williams added 11 second stanza points and grabbed six, second half boards.

McMahon drew up some second half plays to get Brown into the offensive flow.

“I thought getting him out in transition to get a couple threes (was important),” said McMahon. “We were able to draw a couple things up to get him some open looks, and then just that big-time play to get down hill late there in the game to seal it up.”

Jordan Skipper-Brown’s Clutch Play

Eastern Illinois transfer Jordan Skipper-Brown came up big. D.J. Burns also had foul trouble and Skipper-Brown saw extended playing time. The 6’6 senior scored 12 points and grabbed ten rebounds. Eight of his points came from the charity stripe, three of the freebies iced the game in the final 14 seconds of the contest.

Skipper-Brown scored four first half points, three second half points and five in the overtime. Hannibal said his teammate had a great week of practice.

“I feel like this week’s practice it really translated to the game tonight,” said Hannibal. “His focus was actually there mentally and physically. Hopefully we can continue to keep him on the same page and he can stay consistent. It was incredible.”

Saint Peter’s Is Next

Another group of scrappy survivors, the Saint Peter’s Peacocks upset Kentucky, also in overtime. 85-79 was the final in that game and the two weary teams meet Saturday night at 6:45 pm.

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